statutory law

[ stach-oo-tawr-ee law ]

noun

1. the written law established by enactments expressing the will of the legislature, as distinguished from the unwritten law or common law.

statutory law

1. A law or group of laws passed by a legislature or other official governing bodies. ( Compare common law .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of statutory law¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Germain said unlike states like California that regularly update their statutory laws, New York’s contempt laws are “very restrictive” and old.

From Salon

“The whole array of statutory law and constitutional law is available.”

From Seattle Times

The court simply assumes it away with the syllogistic reasoning that Alabama’s statutory law specifies that human life includes “unborn” life.

From Los Angeles Times

Currently, those rights in California were established by statutory law and by court ruling.

From Los Angeles Times

Given that state courts apply a state's constitution and state statutory law, a strong independent state legislature doctrine could leave the state legislature unfettered by state law in this area.

From Salon